Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35001 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35001 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
The press of her hand comforted him, and he inched closer, completely appreciative of how she didn’t retreat from him. Iris didn’t shy away from staring back at his gaze, even with the majority of the room being in darkness.
“I thought for sure there would be some mention of how it accentuates my eyes, or makes my ass look tight.”
Her lips twitched but she didn’t give him the full smile he sought. Instead, she dropped her hand and moved around him to the stove. In silence, Bradford watched her light it and heat some water. She focused on the pot in front of her, so he approached from behind and caged her in against the counter.
Lowering his face, he inhaled her soft scent as he brushed against her hair. Cold but soft. He struggled to keep from kissing her exposed skin. Not that there was much of it, but he didn’t care.
“We both know that I’m far more interesting than the pot of water you’re waiting on to boil.” He rubbed his cheek against her hair once more, this time allowing his lips to graze her cheek. Her tremble rocked him and he wanted more. “Why are you ignoring me in all my manliness?”
“You should go back to the other room where it’s warmer. I hung up your clothes so they can dry. You should know better than to leave wet clothing in a pile on the floor.”
He didn’t want to admit how much he enjoyed her taking care of him. “I feel like you’re trying to ignore the elephant in the room.”
She had a point, this room wasn’t warm, not with the broken window. Even though it had been boarded up, it still didn’t stop that biting wind.
“Not ignoring any elephant.” She opened two packets of the soup and put them in cups before pouring the boiling water into them. “The unicorn? Definitely,” she deadpanned.
He laughed, unable to help it. Kissing her cheek, he stepped back, needing to add some space before he forgot this wasn’t a romantic getaway for lovers. “I’ll wait.” Bradford didn’t want to leave her alone.
Dressed like a bedazzled unicorn or not, he needed to keep her safe. She grunted but didn’t argue his statement.
Iris shut down her camping stove with swift efficiency, and they left the cold kitchen and walked the short distance to the room that had become their temporary home and shelter. The rich smell of soup had his stomach growling, but it couldn’t compare to the natural scent of Iris’ skin, which would no doubt haunt him for years to come.
He watched her as they walked into the inner room, noting every single lip twitch and the way she didn’t look at him directly.
While he understood, again, he looked like a fucking star-studded pastel unicorn—correction, fucking star-studded pastel fuzzy unicorn—still, he wanted her looking at him. Wanted those big brown eyes on him.
Greedy?
Yep.
And he didn’t give a damn. He wanted what he wanted.
“Iris.”
She faced the fire, but it didn’t stop him from noticing the small frown turning down her lips. “Drink your soup.”
He followed the directive but didn’t take his eyes off her. She barely sat still. Even as she drank, she paced the circumference of the room. He carried his cup to the makeshift bed they were sharing and sank down.
God, she was so right. I am far warmer in this.
“Come sit down,” he commanded. Bradford wanted her beside him. She ignored him, continuing to pace. He snarled and shook his head.
“Iris, the room is fine, the fire is burning well, come sit down and just take a second off your feet.”
Tracking her until she gave in, he bit his lower lip as she settled beside him. For a few moments there was silence other than the wind buffeting the building, slamming it with the icy snow, and the crackle of the fire.
He nudged her with his shoulder. “What are you thinking?”
Her hesitation was a little too long. “Nothing really.”
Bradford finished the warm soup, put the cup beside the bed and leaned closer. “Think of me as your priest. Confess.”
Iris tipped her face to him, and his belly tightened at the eye contact. This woman was incredibly stunning. He was enraptured by her. And it wasn’t just gratefulness for her saving his life. She had something about her he couldn’t name, but it drew him to her. Made him long to be in her presence, want her smile for him—alone. He longed to roll around in her scent until it was embedded in his skin and wouldn’t ever wash away.
“I was thinking how hot you make that unicorn suit.”
He preened and stroked a hand down his chest. “I do fill it out. I am however a bit worried about what the pilot had it for.”
She shook her head and he witnessed her fighting the urge to smile. “No judgment.” Even with her deadpan statement, her full lips twitched.